[saint28]

Hello everyone, decided to do a hit on Best Buy for a laptop. This is my first time doing a SB SE and I have a few questions for anyone that has experience with SB or even Best Buy.

In terms of weight variation, how large of a gap can there be? I've got my eye on a one laptop, however, the weight variation is around 630g. The laptops look similar enough but the dummy laptop is a 15.6" and the BB one is 17.3". But with the dummy laptop's charger, the weight difference is only 45g, would it be feasible to also stuff another charger in the box or is that unreasonable?

How much external damage have you gotten away with? I've got the exact box of the laptop I'm trying to SE and been practicing removing the security sticker with minimal damage, and I've been able to remove it but there are some scratches around the sticker. Lastly, in terms of refunds, how quickly do SB refunds from Best Buy take to process? I've read from some posts that in-store returns are typically immediate.

Please feel free to chime in or add anything else I should be wary of. I will update this thread as I begin the process

[woot]

In my experience, BB will check laptop returns. I had tried to swap a laptop of similar models but slight variation in specs and they caught it. I had to make an excuse that I returned the wrong laptop.

[saint28]

In my experience, BB will check laptop returns. I had tried to swap a laptop of similar models but slight variation in specs and they caught it. I had to make an excuse that I returned the wrong laptop.

Damn, were the seals still intact or were there any obvious signs of tempering? That's really unfortunate if they're starting to check sealed box returns now.

[fasho1212]

In my experience, BB will check laptop returns. I had tried to swap a laptop of similar models but slight variation in specs and they caught it. I had to make an excuse that I returned the wrong laptop.

did you match the weight and did you seal it properly like how it was when it came? Everyone who plans on doing SB should always have a scale and proper tools. Never had an issue SBing Bestbuy in my experience. And as for the original poster, the size of the dummy laptop doesn't matter as long as it doesn't make noise when you shake the box.

[saint28]

In my experience, BB will check laptop returns. I had tried to swap a laptop of similar models but slight variation in specs and they caught it. I had to make an excuse that I returned the wrong laptop.

And as for the original poster, the size of the dummy laptop doesn't matter as long as it doesn't make noise when you shake the box.

Got it, thanks! How were you able to contain the laptop? I was thinking I could just tape it down or maybe put some bubble wrap in the empty spaces. I was also reading older posts and saw someone mention they super glued the box shut and I might do that as well lol, seems like a good fail safe

[fasho1212]

In my experience, BB will check laptop returns. I had tried to swap a laptop of similar models but slight variation in specs and they caught it. I had to make an excuse that I returned the wrong laptop.

And as for the original poster, the size of the dummy laptop doesn't matter as long as it doesn't make noise when you shake the box.

Got it, thanks! How were you able to contain the laptop? I was thinking I could just tape it down or maybe put some bubble wrap in the empty spaces. I was also reading older posts and saw someone mention they super glued the box shut and I might do that as well lol, seems like a good fail safe

I actually don't use laptops often, usually something rectangular, solid, and has weight does the job. I personally don't feel the need to use dummies since the box isn't supposed to be opened in the first place. Have I had a failure with another retailer? yes, all that they ask is to send the laptop back, which is another reason why I have no issues using objects that look nothing like a laptop. As far as super gluing goes, that's all personal preference.

[saint28]

And as for the original poster, the size of the dummy laptop doesn't matter as long as it doesn't make noise when you shake the box.

Got it, thanks! How were you able to contain the laptop? I was thinking I could just tape it down or maybe put some bubble wrap in the empty spaces. I was also reading older posts and saw someone mention they super glued the box shut and I might do that as well lol, seems like a good fail safe

I actually don't use laptops often, usually something rectangular, solid, and has weight does the job. I personally don't feel the need to use dummies since the box isn't supposed to be opened in the first place.

That is a great point, I might do just that. Got a couple textbooks just lying around, might weigh a couple of them. Do you return your items in-store or online?

Have I had a failure with another retailer? yes, all that they ask is to send the laptop back, which is another reason why I have no issues using objects that look nothing like a laptop. As far as super gluing goes, that's all personal preference.

Couldn't you also just feign ignorance and just say that you had nothing to do with the swap?

[fasho1212]

Got it, thanks! How were you able to contain the laptop? I was thinking I could just tape it down or maybe put some bubble wrap in the empty spaces. I was also reading older posts and saw someone mention they super glued the box shut and I might do that as well lol, seems like a good fail safe

I actually don't use laptops often, usually something rectangular, solid, and has weight does the job. I personally don't feel the need to use dummies since the box isn't supposed to be opened in the first place.

That is a great point, I might do just that. Got a couple textbooks just lying around, might weigh a couple of them. Do you return your items in-store or online?

Have I had a failure with another retailer? yes, all that they ask is to send the laptop back, which is another reason why I have no issues using objects that look nothing like a laptop. As far as super gluing goes, that's all personal preference.

Couldn't you also just feign ignorance and just say that you had nothing to do with the swap?

firstly, I've done both in-store and online for various retailers. For Bestbuy specifically ive previously done a couple test runs in-store which have been successful. If you do in-store you would have to do a test run, employees can react differently to sealed returns depending on location. Always make sure your test run is similarly priced to the Item you actually want to SB.

Second, I have never tried pleading ignorance as that can create a deep investigation. If you end up losing that investigation then theirs no way you can return the original product back for a refund. Where as if you just comply to their request of giving the laptop back then you will not have an issue getting your refund.

[saint28]

firstly, I've done both in-store and online for various retailers. For Bestbuy specifically ive previously done a couple test runs in-store which have been successful. If you do in-store you would have to do a test run, employees can react differently to sealed returns depending on location. Always make sure your test run is similarly priced to the Item you actually want to SB.

Got it, I'll probably stick to in-store and just slip in right before closing for a little more leniency on returns.

Second, I have never tried pleading ignorance as that can create a deep investigation. If you end up losing that investigation then theirs no way you can return the original product back for a refund. Where as if you just comply to their request of giving the laptop back then you will not have an issue getting your refund.

Makes sense, but that would be worse case, I'll do everything I can so I won't have to make that decision. Thank you for all the help, I really appreciate it

[woot]

In my experience, BB will check laptop returns. I had tried to swap a laptop of similar models but slight variation in specs and they caught it. I had to make an excuse that I returned the wrong laptop.

did you match the weight and did you seal it properly like how it was when it came? Everyone who plans on doing SB should always have a scale and proper tools. Never had an issue SBing Bestbuy in my experience. And as for the original poster, the size of the dummy laptop doesn't matter as long as it doesn't make noise when you shake the box.

In this situation, the laptops were the same model. Only diff was I was trying to get a bit better specs. They opened up the box and inspected the laptop and checked the serial number if it matched. Not just the sticker on the machine but also the s/n saved in the bios.